Immediate Family Members of Canadian Citizens & Permanent Residents
On June 8th, 2020, the Government of Canada released an update to the travel restrictions in place for immediate family members of Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents.
As of June 8th, 2020, the immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be exempt from travel restrictions to visit their family members for a period of at least 15 days. The visiting foreign nationals must not have COVID-19 or exhibit any signs or symptoms of COVID-19. Upon arrival in Canada, foreign nationals must quarantine for a period of 14 days.
Asymptomatic foreign national immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who intend to stay in Canada for 14 days or less may still enter Canada as long as their entry is not for a purpose that is discretionary. They must also comply with the quarantine requirement based on their purpose of travel and intended length of stay.
Which family members are eligible to visit Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents?
The Government of Canada has a strict definition of who is classified as an immediate family member. According to the Canadian Government, an immediate family member is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident’s:
spouse or common-law partner;
dependent child or a dependent child of the person’s spouse or common-law partner;
dependent child of a dependent child
parent or step-parent or the parent or step-parent of the person’s spouse or common-law partner;
guardian or tutor.
All foreign nationals who have COVID-19 or exhibit any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 continue to remain prohibited from entering Canada.
***Note: A dependent child must be under 22 years old and not have a spouse or partner***
Family Members of Temporary Residents
It’s important to note that this change is applicable to immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents only. This change does not apply to the immediate family members of temporary residents in Canada, such as those on a student or work visa.
Final Thoughts
The Government of Canada has been clear that this new exemption was not made to allow people to enter and leave Canada on a whim. This policy is to help reunite families who have been separated as a result of the pandemic.
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Our Services
Calver and Associates is a leading provider of Canadian Immigration services in Durham Region. We serve clients in Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, and beyond. Our Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant has over 10 years of experience in Canadian Immigration law and over four years of experience serving those in the Oshawa area.
We can provide assistance with applications for both temporary and permanent residency in Canada. We handle applications for study permits, permanent residency, family class sponsorship, visitor visas, work permits, and Canadian citizenship. We also handle criminal inadmissibility cases by developing remedies for refusal.
